Public Service Website Hits One Billion Views

Public Service Website Hits One Billion Views

Since its launch two years ago, the public services website Gov.uk has hit one billion visits.

The top three pages visited on the website include those that allow users to find a new job, renew vehicle tax and calculate state pension.

The Government Digital Service (GDS) launched the Gov.uk website in October 2012 to provide a single domain for online public services. The website is mobile optimised and replaced DirectGov and Business Link as well as hundreds of separate department and agency websites.

DirectGov's running costs were more than four times higher than those of Gov.uk, totalling £21.4m for 2011-2012. The launch of the new website was expected to create significant cost savings.

Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude said: "As part of our long-term economic plan, this government is building digital-by-default services designed around users' needs.

"I'm delighted we have now reached a billion visits - not only is Gov.uk simpler, clearer and faster for users, it's also saving taxpayers £60m a year."

Executive director of GDS, Mike Bracken, believes there is still a lot more to do even though they have worked very hard.

He said: "One thing is clear: our agile, iterative, user-centric approach works. Gov.uk has won awards and praise from all over the world, but none of it would have happened without users.

"After two years, we're still learning from them, and still iterating and improving the site in response to feedback. Long may that continue."

The GDS is due to finish a two-year project to digitise the most used public services in 2015.

The project began back in January 2013, allowing for 400 working days to complete the transformation of 25 services from visa applications to benefit claims, which were identified as the first exemplars to be redeveloped.

The government thinks publicising digital services will make cumulative savings of £1.2bn in the present parliamentary term, rising to an estimated £1.7bn by 2016.